Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati on Thursday launched efforts to form a new government amid outgoing PM Saad Hariri's insistence on an all-out boycott of his al-Mustaqbal bloc in the new Cabinet and March 14 forces' unclear stance.

Miqati began his consultations at Parliament by meeting Speaker Nabih Berri.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati stressed on openness and dialogue and said he was comfortable at the local atmosphere and the prospect of ties with the Arab world and the international community.

In remarks to An Nahar and al-Hayat newspapers on Thursday, Miqati described regional and international reactions to his mission as “very good.”

Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague arrived in Syria late Wednesday to hold talks with officials about political developments in Lebanon and the stalled Middle East peace process, officials said.

The Foreign Office said that Hague would meet with President Bashar Assad and Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem during the 24-hour visit.

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice accused Hizbullah and Syria of using "intimidation, pressure and threats of violence" to make wealthy businessman Najib Miqati prime minister.

"Of course we are closely following events in Lebanon. It is now up to the Lebanese to determine how to form their own government, " Rice said in response to a question.

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi has reportedly said that the Jewish state will not interfere in Lebanon’s developments although the situation is worrying.

Ashkenazi made the comment as he addressed a group of NATO military chiefs in Brussels on Wednesday.

The United States on Wednesday levied sanctions against an alleged Lebanese cocaine trafficking ring, with operations spanning Latin America, West Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

The group -- led by Ayman Joumaa and including at least nine other people and 19 entities -- was said to have laundered proceeds worth as much as $200 million per month.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati on Wednesday said that forming a technocrat government is "one of the options, but it's not the only one."

In an interview on OTV, Miqati noted that he will not bind himself to a deadline in forming Lebanon's new Cabinet.

Following a protocol meeting with Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati on Wednesday, former premier Omar Karami called for forming “a mixed government comprising technocrats and politicians” should the March 14 camp refuse to take part in a new Cabinet.

Karami described the violent protests that took place Tuesday in Tripoli as “an episode of madness,” adding that it has blemished the image of the Mustaqbal Movement.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that Lebanese rather than foreigners should decide the country's future.

The United States has warned of effects on bilateral relations after billionaire businessman Najib Miqati was named premier-designate with the support of Hizbullah and its allies.

The United States on Wednesday levied sanctions against an alleged Lebanese cocaine trafficking ring, with operations spanning Latin America, West Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

The group -- led by Ayman Joumaa and including at least nine other people and 19 entities -- was said to have laundered proceeds worth as much as $200 million per month.